First of all thanks for all the wonderful messages of support which you sent in following The Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay Show. You certainly did help us end 2017 in style and we have loved seeing all your memories of the Show appearing on social media!

Below you will find our updated list of future featured events; but don't forget to visit our Events Listings Page where you will find the latest details in our What's On Section which is edited and updated every day by our friends at the Inverness City Advertiser.

]]>REVIEW: 2017 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS & CAROL SERVICEhttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry171109-083005
The Countdown to Christmas gets underway in Inverness on Sunday November 19th as Santa arrived to help Provost Helen Carmichael turn on the city’s dazzling display of Christmas Lights.

Families gathered at Crown Primary School at 5.15pm on the night to take part in the Christmas Torchlight Procession to the Town House with the Provost and Santa and host Nicola McAlley of STV.

This year’s parade was led by the combined City of Inverness Senior and Youth Pipe Bands in suitable Christmas attire and featured a number of costumed characters and stiltwalkers.

The Parade ended outside Inverness Town House where there was a surprise in store for everybody when the building unexpectedly burst into light.

The marchers then followed Santa the Old High Church for the annual Christmas Carol Service - Ding Dong Merrily Old High which featured a number of much loved traditional favourites performed by the Joint choir from St Stephen's and the Old High churches.

Councillor Bet McAllister of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group said: “Our Christmas Lights Switch On event is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year for the younger members of our community and it was great to seeing the excitement in their eyes. There is always something magical about the moment when they get their first glimpse of Santa Claus as he arrives to help the Provost turn on our Christmas Lights.“

]]>2017 HOGMANAY BANDS ANNOUNCEDhttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry171106-132050
Opening the show in Northern Meeting Park Arena will be Hò-rò; who were winners of the “Danny Kyle award” at Celtic Connections. Hailing from the Scottish Highlands & Islands, Hò-rò have quickly become amongst the most popular news bands on the European music festival scene and will come to Inverness after successful tours to Germany, France & Belgium. Hò-rò were recently in the news for all the wrong reasons when they lost all their equipment when their van went up in flames following an arson attack in Glasgow. Thanks to the generosity of fellow performers the band have been able to borrow everything they need to complete their autumn tour and make their debut at The Red Hot Highland Fling.

Hò-rò will be followed by two former winners of the prestigious “Scottish Traditional Music Live Band of the Year Award” who have been booked to appear on the night. Skipinnish have been given the honour of headlining the show in the prestigious middle position; which is a tradition that is unique to the Inverness Hogmanay Show; and enables as many youngsters as possible to see the headline act at this family friendly show. The band have played a string of headline appearances at some of Britain’s biggest music festivals in 2017; and their unique mix of traditional and contemporary music has firmly established them one of the most popular live bands to be found in Scotland today.

Closing the show, and making sure that the music pauses just in time for a spectacular fireworks display at midnight will be Skerryvore. A firm favourite with the Inverness crowd Skerryvore are one of the few bands in the world that organises its own annual music festival, Oban Live, which now attracts over 10,000 visitors each year. This year’s show will see Scott Wood, the newest member of the Skerryvore line up make his debut at The Red Hot Highland Fling. Scott Wood, who plays pipes and whistles, has replaced founder member Martin Gillespie who, in common with many pipers, developed ‘focal hand dystonia,’ a neurological condition which affects the hands causing involuntary contractions, spasms and often discomfort. This was the same condition that led to the retirement of Stuart Cassells, founder member of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

The show will be hosted by Comedian Craig Hill who has travelled the world with his sell out show “Someone’s gonna get kilt!” since he was last seen stealing a crane and taking a selfie from 80 feet up in the air at last year’s show.

The Chair of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group Councillor Graham Ross added “ The Red Hot Highland Fling is now firmly established as one of the UK’s top Hogmanay experiences and attracts visitors from far and wide to the Highlands. In addition to introducing the performers for 2017; I am also pleased to confirm that the City of Inverness Area Committee has given approval for another Hogmanay Show in 2018”. ]]>REVIEW 2017 BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS DISPLAYhttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry171106-094454
An estimated 20,000 spectators gathered on the banks of the River Ness on Saturday 4th November as the Highland Council's annual Display took place in Bught Park.

After enjoying performances by the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band and the Fly Agaric Firestormers Display Team; the crowd cheered loudly when Provost Helen Carmichael stepped forward to light the giant 50 foot high bonfire, which quickly roared into life to everyone's delight.

After a short delay to enable the Fireworx Scotland Display Team to make some last minute adjustments as the gusts of wind increased in strength across the field; the spectacular 20 minute display under a full moon was enjoyed by all.

Afterwards Councillor Trish Robertson of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group thanked the thousands of spectators who had answered the Council's call to park well away from the site and walk to the event. "The support of the drivers bringing families to the show played a major role in keeping the traffic congestion to a minimum on the night and was greatly appreciated. "]]>NOVEMBER 4th BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS DISPLAY CAR PARKINGhttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry171030-061249

If you are attending our bonfire display on Saturday November 4th don't forget to use the city centre car parks and allow yourself extra time to walk to the site.]]>REVIEW 2017 Halloween Show http://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry170927-100430
UNDERWORLD!to life.

Big thank you to all the folk who remembered that parking around Bught Park was very limited and helped us by using one of the 2800 plus spaces which are available in the City Centre and walked along to the show.

]]>KIRKING OF THE COUNCIL REVIEWhttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry170903-104921
Staff and Members of The Highland Council along with guests from the University of the Highlands and Islands and community councils paraded, led by the Royal British Legion Scotland (Inverness Branch) pipes and drums, and the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band along with uniformed youth groups and school representatives.

The service in the Old High Church was led by Reverend Peter Nimmo, Minister of Old High St Stephen’s Church who will delivered a sermon called 'Cherish the light!' which was based on two readings from the New Testament. Leading the opening prayer was the Reverend Stewart A MacKay, Chaplain of The Black Watch 3rd Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland; and leading the Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession was Rev Sarah Murray, Provost of St Andrew’s Cathedral in Inverness.

]]>Review: 2017 VIKING INVASION!http://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry170829-091545
One of the funniest and most enjoyable events we have ever staged........this really is one of our all time favourites.

We have wonderful Memories of the Lerwick Jarl Squad 2017's hugely successful first visit to Inverness which were brilliantly captured by photographer Ewen Weatherspoon.

We were delighted to be asked to support the final weekend of activities which brought High Life Highland's Viking Exhibition Valhalla: Life and Death in Viking Britain to an unforgettable climax.

Big thanks to everybody at IMAG, Crown Primary School, the City of Inverness Pipe Band; Mascot Madness; Fraser School of Highland Dance; Police Scotland; Inverness Museum and Art Gallery; High Life Highland; Highland Council; Sponsors Inverness Common Good Fund and Northlink Ferries and last but not least Elvis Presley. Unless you have heard this lot sing "Burning Love" on the steps of Inverness Castle to roars of approval from a delighted crowd - you really haven't lived. Haste ye back!]]>SCOTLAND'S SALMON FESTIVAL http://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry170731-110451

You can get all the latest information by clicking on the link below]]>37 Points of Interesthttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry170422-205043

Another great read from one of our favourite bloggers

Click on the related link below]]>Some great readinghttp://invernessfestivals.com/winter08/blog/index.php?entry=entry170101-204235

The Winter Festival opened with the seventh Inverness Street Festival which took place over 3 days from 13 to 15 October and offered an exciting programme of top quality acts performing at various city centre venues.

The Highland’s biggest fancy dress event of the year, the city’s Ness Islands Halloween Show on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October; once again attracted hundreds of families are expected to dress up their children in order to help the Council scare away the annual invasion of ghosts, beasties and unmentionables which gather on the banks for the River Ness every Halloween. Created by Council in partnership Eden Court Creative, Arts in Motion and Limelight Event Services; the show stretched for 1300 metres around two islands in the middle of the River Ness; and attracted visitors from all over the north of Scotland. This year’s show had a “Forest of Frights” theme and visitors found surprises and screams around every darkened corner. The Grand Bonfire and Fireworks Display on November 5th attracted a huge crowd who loved our giant bonfire and thespectacular 20 minute musical fireworks display staged by the award winning display team from Fireworx Scotland.

The Christmas Lights Parade led by Santa Claus and Provost Helen Carmichael was a great deal of fun; and following the Switch On, spectators had a great time at the traditional Children’s Christmas Carol Concert “Ding Dong Merrily Old High”

Winter Wonderland event over the weekend of Friday 16 to Sunday 18 December was as popular as ever and featured an opportunity to meet Santa and his Reindeer in a beautifully illuminated Whin Park - with special mention going to our site decorating team led by Craig Duncan of Limelight Event Services. The Winter Wonderland show is one of the highlights of the Winter Festival for toddlers and the pictures in our gallery tells you all you need to know.Provost Helen Carmichael said: “Since our Winter Festival was launched at the end of 2008; it has made a significant contribution towards making Inverness a more enjoyable place to live and provided a significant boost to the local economy by attracting visitors from far and wide to our city. It is wonderful to see just how much enjoyment each of our events generates and to see how much they are appreciated by everybody.

“Every time thousands of spectators decide to wrap up warmly, gather together and have a great time; it makes months of effort seem worthwhile. As I am sure everyone appreciates it takes more than a little talent, dedication and imagination to bring outdoor venues like Ness Islands, Whin Park and even the Council HQ Car Park to life on the coldest and darkest of nights."

Our Sponsors

The Inverness Common Good fund sponsored Inverness Winter Festival is part of the Inverness Festivals programme. Sponsored by the Inverness Common Good Fund; the programme is organised by the Council and its partners in the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group.

The Working Group receives much appreciated support behind the scenes from a whole host of partners and businesses based here in the Highlands including Inverness BID, VisitScotland, High Life Highland, Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness Loch Ness Tourism BID, Eden Court Theatre, Scottish Provincial Press and the Inverness Hotel Association.